In 1989 Our Children's Place of Clifton Springs was opened in collaboration with Clifton Spring Hospital and Clinic. Our Children's Place of Clifton Springs is currently licensed for 136 children and is now located in the educational wing of the United Methodist Church of Clifton Springs.

Our programs include:

Infant-Toddler

Preschool

Head Start

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)

School's Out Program

In partnership with NYSOFA, the Association on Aging in NY purchased 50,000 licenses and with these licenses, older adults are offered the opportunity to access a variety of classes/courses for FREE on a virtual platform.

GetSetUp is an online community of people who want to learn new skills, connect with others, and unlock new life experiences. Their safe, social, and interactive learning environment has been specifically designed for older adults. Classes are taught by older adults and kept small to ensure everyone can actively participate. The platform helps older adults stay mentally and physically fit, creates economic opportunities through jobs and reskilling, provides a community where people find meaning and purpose by helping each other and forming new connections.

For more information go to: https://www.getsetup.io/partner/NYSTATE

Preschool special education provides services for children ages three to five who have a developmental delay or disability. The child's school district is responsible for developing the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Counties and the state provide funding for the preschool special education programs and services. Children in need of services are referred to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) in the school district where they reside. Some service options include:

Related Services Speech/language occupational and physical therapy

Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT)

Special class/integrated setting

Childhood assessment is a process of gathering information about a child, reviewing the information, and then using the information to plan educational activities that are at a level the child can understand and is able to learn from. Assessment is a critical part of a high-quality, early childhood program.

Evaluation is a process that helps parents and schools determine whether a child has a disability. ... It looks at the child's strengths and needs. It may examine cognitive, academic, behavioral, physical, and other developmental factors. Evaluation includes information provided by the parents.

Serving low income, elderly, and disabled homeowners and renters. Energy audits, health and safety measures, energy conservation, education, emergency furnace replacement, other minor repairs related to energy needs.

Serving Cattaraugus, Livingston, Allegany and Wyoming counties.

A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants will learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.

A Matter of Balance includes eight, 2hour sessions for adults ages 60-years-of -age and older. Classes are facilitated by certified volunteer coaches. Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends.

Astor operates all the Head Start Programs in Dutchess County. Head Start is a federally funded program for children from low-income families. It is a preschool developmental program of early childhood education and ancillary services including health (physical, dental, mental), nutrition, and social services, with extensive parental involvement and participation. Children with disabilities are served within a fully integrated setting with non-disabled children.

The goal of Astor’s Head Start and Early Head Start Programs is to provide a comprehensive child development program for children, ages 0 to 5, often from low-income families in Dutchess county.

Head Start Programs support the parent as the child’s primary teacher. Astor believes that an essential part of the program is the involvement of parents. They are given the opportunity to participate in parent education, program planning, serving as center volunteers, and as members of advisory councils and committees. Adult education opportunities are available to all parents. This program is individualized to assist the child’s development socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Support can include physical, dental, mental health, nutrition, and social services.

The Early Head Start Program provides services through two models — home-based and center-based. The home-based program consists of a weekly 90-minute home visit by a Parent Infant Educator who supports the parents and child with information and activities on child development, parenting skills, nutrition, and health.

The center-based Nurturing Rooms offer small groups of children of mixed ages (six weeks – 18 months through three years) opportunities for individualized development through primary care giving; one-on-one routines; and exploration of interesting, safe materials in a child-focused environment.

Immunizations for childrens and adults, dental services for children ages 3-18, confidential HIV testing, Sexually Transmitted Disease testing, lead screening, tuberculosis screening, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), rabies clinic. To discontinue the spread of disease, FCPH tracks and will follow-up on all communicable diseases. Information and referral are provided through newborn visits, health guidance and Public Health education programs. Screen and refer for Early Intervention and Pre-School Special Education services. Injury prevention programs include bike helmet fittings and car seat inspections. Emergency preparedness and bioterrorism response information.

Services Provided: Community health services to Schoharie County residents. Major programs include: Family Health, Disease Control, Home Health Agency, Environmental Health, Public Health Education, Preschool Special Needs/Early Intervention Program and Community Health Assessment. Physically Handicapped Children's Program, Emergency Preparedness.

Sibshops are monthly gatherings where the brothers and sisters of children with special needs can get together for fun and education in a lively, recreational setting.

Sibshops are pedal-to-the-metal events where kids get to:

•Meet their peers

•Have fun

•Talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sib with special needs with others who “get it”

•Play some great games

•Learn how other brothers and sisters handle sticky situations

•Laugh

•Learn something about the services their brothers and sister receive

•Have some more fun

Sibshops are monthly. They coincide with the Learn and Grow Playgroup.

To find the next Sibshops gathering, visit our calendar.

For more information or to register, contact Wendy Watkins at 962-8225, ext. 223, or wwatkins@aimcil.com. Registration is required.